Doffing device with trigger actuated cutter means



Nov. 15, 1966 E. JOHNSON, JR 3,285,114

DOFFING DEVICE WITH TRIGGER ACTUATED CUTTER MEANS Filed June 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

5/5/70 Johnson, Jr

A l/orney Nov. 15, 1966 E. JOHNSON, JR 3,285,114

DOFFING DEVICE WITH TRIGGER ACTUATED CUTTER MEANS Filed June 21, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

E/fsha Johnson, Jr.

BY dra Alfome y United States Patent Ofifice 3,285,114 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 3,285,114 DOFFING DEVICE WITH TRIGGER ACTUATED CUTTER MEANS Elisha Johnson, Jr., Charlotte, N.C., assignor to Fiber Industries, Inc, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,604 2 Claims. (Cl. 83402) This invention relates to a unique device for dotfing or stringing-up yarn. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for dofiing or stringing-up of yarn of producing or processing machines such as take-up machines, drawtwisting machines, texturizing machines, re winding machines and the like.

In the production of fibers, especially synthetic fibers, as well as yarn processing machines, the use of a suction gun attached to a vacuum source, i.e., a source of reduced pressure, is frequently used to string-up or dolf the yarn to the various rollers, pins, bobbins, etc., neces sary in the processing technique.

After the dofiing or stringing-up of the yarn has taken place in the utilization of a suction gun which passes the fibers not strung up to a waste supply, the yarn is cut in a separate operation usually utilizing a cutting edge or scissors. In the use of the suction gun technique for dofling or string-up as described, an operator requires the use of both hands completely to perform this desired function. In the event of a malfunction of the process, the operator does not immediately have a free hand to attempt to stop or correct the defect which has occured. In view of the known dangers of the cutting ability of a running yarn, a serious safety hazard is always present.

By the apparatus of this invention, a dofiing or stringup yarn technique is carried out more conveniently and improved safety techniques are introduced into the process. The device of this invention comprises a combination of a vacuum hose which at one extremity is attached to a vacuum source and a cutting device attached to the remaining extremity of the vacuum hose. The cutting device contains an aperture for the passage of yarn and means to provide the source of the vacuum or reduced pressure. A knife blade of sufficient size is incorporated into the cutting device in such a manner that the knife blade can be moved so as to expose the aperture or opening to the vacuum source and can also cut off the vacuum source by completely covering the aperture. A lever is pivotally attached to the blade for moving the knife blade into two position, i.e., for opening or closing the aperture to the vacuum source. Resilient means such as springs are located in such position to place the knife blade under tension when the blade is in the position exposing the aperture. Additionally, a cocking mechanism is provided for the lever which is attached to the knife blade for purposes of maintaining the knife blade in a position to open the aperture and permit a suction of reduced pressure to exist. A trigger mechanism is provided for the lever for purposes of releasing the knife blade when maintained in the position to expose the aperture to vacuum so as to cut the yarn passing through the aperture and at the same time close ofi the vacuum source to the atmosphere.

The invention will be better understood if the following description is read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical side elevation view of the apparatus of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is similar to FIGURE 4 with the trigger in the forward position to release the cutting blade.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the flexible vacuum hose 10 is attached to the housing 11 of the cutting device as shown. The yarn enters the inlet means and passes through the cutting device to the flexible hose 10 through an aperture 13. The knife blade 14 in FIG- URE 2 is shown in the position to expose the aperture 13 to the air and permit air to flow through the aperture in view of the reduced pressure exerted in the vacuum tube 10. The knife blade 14 is large enough to completely cover the aperture 13 as indicated in FIGURE 3. The knife blade 14 is pivotally attached at point 15 to a lever 16 and a spring 17 is mounted in such manner as to place the knife blade 14 under tension when the knife blade 14 is raised as shown in FIGURE 2. A cocking mechanism 18 holds the lever 16 in the open position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. A trigger 19 attached to the cocking mechanism 18 is maintained under tension by a trigger spring 20 when the knife blade 14 is in the position to expose the aperture 13 as shown in FIGURE 2. When the trigger 19 is pushed forward (FIGURE 4) the cocking mechanism 13 releases the lever 16 as shown in FIGURE 3. The spring means 17 which places tension on the knife blade 14 forces the blade to close over the aperture 13 as also shown in FIGURE 3 which if the yarn or thread is passing through the inlet 12, as shown in FIGURE 1, it is cut and the vacuum source through hose 10 is cut off. It should be readily apparent that the apparatus as shown can be operated completely using only one hand.

It is understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention of which many variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for doffing or stringing-up of yarn comprising in combination a vacuum hose and a cutting device attached to the extremity of said vacuum hose, said cutting device containing an aperture for the passage of yarn and means to provide an air opening to a vacuum source through said vacuum hose comprising a knife blade of sufficient size located in said cutting device so that said blade can completely cover said aperture, a lever pivotally attached to said knife blade for moving said blade to expose said aperture, resilient means located in such position to place said knife blade under tension when said blade is in a position exposing said aperture to the atmosphere, a cocking mechanism for said lever to maintain said knife blade in a position for exposure of said aperture, and a trigger mechanism which releases said cocking mechanism which in turn releases said lever permitting said resilient means to force said knife blade to cut said yarn passing through said aperture and cover said aperture to close off the vacuum source to the atmosphere.

2. An apparatus for dofiing or stringing-up of yarn comprising in combination a flexible hose and a cutting device attached to the extremity of said vacuum hose, said cuting device containing an aperture for the passage of yarn and means to provide an opening to a vacuum source through said flexible hose comprising a knife blade of sufficient size located in said cutting device so that said blade can completely cover said aperture, a lever pivotally attached to said knife blade for moving said blade to expose said aperture, spring means located in such position to place said knife blade under tension when said blade is in a position exposing said aperture to the atmosphere, a cocking mechanism for said lever to maintain said knife blade in a position for exposure of said aperture to the atmosphere, a spring loaded trigger mechanism for quickly releasing said cocking'mechanism which in turn releases said lever permitting said spring means to force said knife blade to cut said yarn passing through said aperture and cover said aperture to close off the vacuum source to the atmosphere.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,241,234 3/1966 Kiefer et al 30133 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DOFFING OR STRINGING-UP OF YARN COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A VACUUM HOSE AND A CUTTING DEVICE ATTACHED TO THE EXTREMITY OF SAID VACUUM HOSE, SAID CUTTING DEVICE CONTAINING AN APERTURE FOR THE PASSAGE OF YARN AND MEANS TO PROVIDE AN AIR OPENING TO A VACUUM SOURCE THROUGH SAID VACUUM HOSE COMPRISING A KNIFE BLADE OF SUFFICIENT SIZE LOCATED IN SAID CUTTING DEVICE SO THAT SAID BLADE CAN COMPLETELY COVER SAID APERTURE, A LEVER PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID KNIFE BLADE FOR MOVING SAID BLADE TO EXPOSED SAID APERTURE, RESILIENT MEANS LOCATED IN SUCH POSITION TO PLACE SAID KNIFE BLADE UNDER TENSION WHEN SAID BLADE IS IN A POSITION EXPOSING SAID APERTURE TO THE ATMOSPHERE A COCKING MECHANISM FOR SAID LEVER TO MAINTAIN SAID KNIFE BLADE IN A POSITION FOR EXPOSURE OF SAID APERTURE, AND A TRIGGER MECHANISM WHICH RELEASES SAID COCKING MECHANISM WHICH IN TURN RELEASES SAID LEVER PERMITTING SAID RESILIENT MEANS TO FORCE SAID KNIFE BLADE TO CUT SAID YARN PASSING THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND COVER SAID APERTURE TO CLOSE OFF THE VACUUM SOURCE TO THE ATMOSPHERE. 